Apparatus for use in detecting pinfall in a bowling game



Dec, 21, 1965 E. c. WEBB 3,224,768

APPARATUS FOR USE IN DETECTING PINFALL IN A BOWLING GAME Filed March 1, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l6 I2 IO l8 Q3 3 l o n n n 1 AUTOMATIC 24 lot-kt SCORING Z i g l 22 E CIRCUITRY ea 5 $70 :32 VENT n5 I 1m .7; H v |5ev1+ i I k Q l I52 I l l 1 I64 I62 I60 I54 ERNEST C. WEBB BY7//SVVM7 his ATTORNEY Dec. 21, 1965 E. c. WEBB 3,

APPARATUS FOR USE IN DETECTING PINFALL IN A BOWLING GAME Filed March 1, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ERNEST C. WEBB BY a his ATTORNEY Dec. 21, 1965 E. c. WEBB 3,

APPARATUS FOR USE IN DETECTING PINFALL IN A BOWLING GAME Filed March 1, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

ERNEST C. WEBB his ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,2245% APTARATUS FOR USE IN EETECTING PINFALL IN A EQWLHNG GAME Ernest C. Webb, Bay Village, Uhio, assignor to Cleveland Trust Company, trustee, Cleveland, @hio Filed Mar. 1, 1963, Ser. No. 261,972 Claims. (Cl. 27354) This invention relates to apparatus for automatically detecting the number of standing pins remaining after each ball is delivered in a bowling game, the remaining pins being detected by passing an elongated member, having pin detecting elements carried thereon, across the tops of standing pins. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for displacing the pin detecting elements in a direction away from the pins wherein they are less vulnerable to being hit by flying pins.

Although not limited thereto, the present invention is particularly adapted for use with an automatic pinfall detecting apparatus which employs a scanner comprising an elongated member having a plurality of pin detecting elements or flappers which function as a means for detecting the number of pins remaining standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley. Pinfall detecting apparatus of this type is disclosed, for example, in copending application Serial No. 221,701, filed September 6, 1962. The flappers extend downwardly from the elongated member and are hinged thereon for pivotal movement. Suitable electrical contacts are provided to produce an electrical impulse when a flapper is deflected. The scanner preferably is maintained above the tops of the standing pins so that when it is moved, the flappers will contact the tops of the standing pins and produce the electrical impulses. The electrical impulses preferably are transmitted to an automatic scoring and totalizing system for a bowling game such as that shown in copending application Serial No. 175,865, filed February 9, 1962, now US. Patent No. 3,124,355, or Millman et al., Patent No. 2,590,444. A mechanism also is shown in the aforesaid copending application Serial No. 221,701, for moving the scanner across the tops of the standing pins. This mechanism generally comprises a carriage from which the scanner is supported in cantilever beam relation. The carriage is mounted on a guideway extending across the pin deck, for reciprocal movement between the ends thereof. Drive means, supported by the guideway, is provided to move the carriage and hence the scanner back and forth along the guideway. This mechanism is more fully described in copending application Serial No. 199,063, filed May 31, 1962.

Since there is actual contact between a standing pin and a flapper, the flapper and its hinge arrangement must of necessity be of lightweight and delicate construction in order not to knock down or unnecessarily move the standing pins. Thus, should any of these fiappers be hit by a flying pin they could be severely damaged or made inoperative. It should be obvious that an inoperative or damaged flapper could produce errors in the detection of pinfall; and, consequently, produce errors in the frameto-frame scores and total score presented to the bowler by the above-mentioned automatic scoring and totalizing systems.

In another system for detecting pinfall shown in copending application Serial No. 134,809, filed September 7, 1961 a series of electromagnetic coils are swept across the tops of bowling pins having permanent magnet means em bedded in their tops, the arrangement being such that as the coils pass over the tops of standing pins a number of electrical pulses will be produced therein equal to the number of standing pins. Here, again, the coils might be damaged by flying pins unless provision is made for protecting those coils when they are not in use.

3,224,768 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 Accordingly, the primary objects of this invention include:

To provide apparatus for displacing the scanner in a direction away from the standing pins whereby they are less vulnerable to being hit by a flying pin;

To provide apparatus for displacing the scanner without interfering with the automatic pin-spotting equipment;

To provide apparatus for displacing the scanner in a direction away from the standing pins only when the scanner is at the ends of the guideway;

To provide scanner displacing apparatus which does not employ extrinsic power sources for displacing the scanner;

To provide a scanner having shearable connecting means, for securing the scanner to the carriage, which will separate when a flying pin makes a direct hit on any portion of the scanner thereby preventing excessive strain on the guideways and the carriage;

To provide scanner displacing apparatus which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and operate.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary side elevation view schematically illustrating the position of an elongated pin detecting member with respect to standing bowling pins;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of apparatus used in passing the pin detecting member in FIG. 1 across the tops of bowling pins and illustrating one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a control circuit of the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, partly in cross section, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating the operation of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front elevation view further illustrating the components of the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section, taken along the line 88 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary isometric view illustrating a further embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 110 of FIG. 9.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned scanner, carriage, guideway and driving means comprise a unitary structure which is suspended at its ends from the ends of a stationary support member. The end connections between the support member and the unitary structure are pivotal connections which cooperate to define a horizontal axis about which the unitary structure may pivot. Piston means, preferably pneumatically operated, is provided connecting the unitary structure to the stationary support member for pivoting the unitary structure about the horizontal axis. Switch means, operable by contact with the carriage, also are provided at the ends of the guideway for activating the piston means. Thus, when the scanner moves across the pin deck, from one side to the other, the carriage trips one of the switch means whereupon the piston means is activated to pivot the scanner about the horizontal axis into an elevated position. In this position, it is eifectively hidden and less vulnerable to being hit by a flying pin.

According to an alternative embodiment. of the present invention, the scanner is rotatably mounted on the carriage so that it is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

'ice

Resilient connecting means is provided to connect the scanner to the carriage in a yielding relation. Cam means are provided at each end of the guideway and operate to rotate the scanner so that the elongated member is between the flappers and the pins. Hence, the flappers are protected by the elongated member from a direct hit by a flying pin. The resilient connecting means serves the purposes of yielding so that the scanner may pivot and for maintaining the fiappers in a pin detecting orientation when the scanner is passing over the tops of the bowling pins.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the scanner is connected to the carriage by means of shearable connecting means whereby when a flying pin makes a direct hit on any portion of the scanner, the shearable connection will be broken. Thus the impact of the pin is taken up in the breaking of the shearable connection so that excessive strain on the track or the carriage is prevented. It should be noted that the present shearable connecting means may be employed in either of the above described embodiments for displacing the scanner.

Reference is now directed to FIG. 1 wherein the position of a scanner with respect to a set of pins is illustrated. As can be seen, a scanner is shown comprising an elongated member 12 having a plurality of pin detecting elements or flappers 14 pivotally secured thereto. The fiappers 14 extend in a downward direction when in a pin detecting orientation. The elongated member 12 is supported by a carriage 16 in cantilever beam relation. The carriage 16 includes projecting bars 18, 20 which serve to engage a guideway (not shown) upon which the carriage is mounted for reciprocal movement between the ends thereof. The manner in which the carriage 16 is secured to the guideway will be more fully described later in the specification in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. Below the scanner 10 there is shown a fragment of a pin deck 22 upon which stands a set of tenpins 24. As viewed in FIG. 1, only pins 1, 2, 4 and 7 are visible.

It should be evident, then, that as the scanner 10 is swept across the set of pins 24, the flappers will engage the tops of the pins 24 and be deflected thereby to produce the electrical signals. A full and detailed description of the scanner construction and its operation will be found in the aforesaid copending application Serial No. 221,701, filed September 6, 1962.

The scanner 10 is swept across the set of pins 24 by means of a traversing mechanism which is the subject of the aforesaid copending application Serial No. 199,063, filed May 31, 1962. For a full and detailed description of the traversing mechanism, reference may be had to the aforesaid application. However, for the purposes of the present application it will be suflicient to state, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, that the scanner 10 is supported by the carriage 16 in cantilever beam relation. The projecting bars 13, 26 of the carriage 16 are slideably supported in guideways or tracks 26, 28, respectively. Selflubricating nylon caps or shoes 30 are fitted over the projecting bars 18, 20 and are engaged in the guideways 26, 28 to act as anti-friction members. The guideways or tracks 26, 28 preferably are positioned to extend transversely of the forward end of a pin deck and between the kickbacks of a bowling alley. A drive means 31 is provided for reciprocably moving the carriage 16 between the ends of the guideways 26, 28. The drive means 31 comprises rolls 32, 34, a taut band 36 of spring steel or the like and a motor 38. As can be seen, the rolls 32, 34 are positioned at opposite ends 411, 42 respectively of the guideways 26, 28. The taut band extends around the rolls 32, 34 and is connected at one point along its length to the carriage 16. The arrangement is such that as the band 36 moves around the rolls 32, 34, the carriage 16 and the scanner 10 carried thereby will be caused to traverse the pin deck 22 (see FIG. 1). Secured to each end 40, 42, of the guideway 26 is an angle member 44 having a horizontal leg 46 secured to the underside of the guideway 26 by any suitable means and a downwardlydepending leg 48 having a rubber pad 50 secured to the inboard face thereof. The pad 50 is adapted to abut a projection 52 of the carriage 16 and serves as a cushion. The motor 38 is supported by the guideway 28 and comprises a reversible direct current motor. The motor 38 is employed to rotate the rolls 32, 34 and thus cause the band 36 to move around rolls 32, 34 in a manner which is more fully explained in the aforsaid copending application Serial No. 199,063.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. Referring in particular to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the carriage 16, the guideways 26, 28 and the drive means 31 comprise a unitary structure 54 from which the scanner 10 extends as heretofore described.

Disposed above the unitary structure 54 is a stationary member 56 which is secured to kickbacks 57a, 57b of a bowling alley and which is substantially parallel to the unitary structure 54. Pivot means 58 is provided to connect each end 40, 42 of the unitary structure 54 with the stationary member 56. Each pivot means 58 comprises, as for example, a plate 60 secured to the stationary member 56, a plate 62 secured to one end of the unitary structure, and a nut and stud assembly 64 pivotally connected to the plates 60, 62 in the area of overlap. The nut and stud assemblies 64 are aligned so as to define a horizontal axis, illustrated by the dash-dot line numbered 66, about which the unitary structure 54 will pivot.

In order to pivot the unitary structure 54 about the horizontal axis 66, a pivoting means 68 is provided. The pivoting means 68 preferably comprises a cylinder 70 having a piston 72 therewithin. Secured to the piston 72 is a shaft 74 extending from the cylinder 71). A conduit 76, preferably of the flexible type, is provided for introducing and withdrawing a working fluid from the interior of the cylinder 71) at a point below the piston 72. The working fluid in this instance preferably comprises compressed air and 'hence the pivoting means 68 is a pneumatically operated pivot means.

As can be seen the cylinder 70 is pivotally connected to a projecting plate 78, secured to the stationary member 5'6, by any suitable means such as a hinge connection 80. The shaft 74 is pivotally connected to an angle member 82, secured to the guideway 26, by any suitable means such as a hinge connection 84.

Thus, when the working fluid is introduced into the cylinder 76, the unitary structure 54 is pivoted about the horizontal axis 66 to raise or displace the scanner 10 in a direction away from the pins 24 (see FIG. 1). The displaced positions of the scanner, the carriage and the angle member are illustrated in phantom outline and indicated by the numerals 10', 16' and 32', respectively. The contracted position of the pivoting means also is illustrated in phantom outline and indicated by the numeral 63'.

When the working fluid is eXhauSted from the interior of the cylinder 71 by means of the conduit 76, the unitary structure will quickly pivot to the position illustrated in full lines. The scanner 111 is now in a pin detecting position. It should be noted that the horizontal axis 66 preferably is located vertically above the center of gravity of the unitary structure 54. Hence, the unitary structure 54 will pivot to the proper position by means of its own weight.

It is also preferable that the exhaust port (not shown here) for exhausting the compressed air be restricted in such a manner that the air acts as a cushion for the downwardly pivoting unitary structure 54.

In order to insure the proper positioning of the scanner 11 with respect to the pins to be detected, the plates 60, 62 of the pivot means 53 each are provided with a stop member 86, 88, respectively. The stop members 86, 88 are separated by means of a rubber pad 90 which is secured to one of the stop members 86, 88. When the unitary structure 54- is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in PEG. 3, the stop member 88 will be disengaged from the stop member 86 and when the unitary structure 54 is pivoted in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, the stop member 88 will be engaged with the stop member 86. Note, however, that the rubber pad 98 will cushion the fall of the unitary structure 54.

An object of the present invention is to provide apparatus for displacing the scanner in a direction away from the standing pins only when the scanner is at the ends of the guideway. To this end, the unitary structure is provided with limit switches LS-1 and LS-Z, LS1 being secured to the horizontal leg 45 of the right-hand angle member 4 and LS-Z being secured to the horizontal leg 46 of the left-hand angle member 44. The limit switches LS1 and LS-2 control the stopping of the motor 38 and the activation of the pivoting means 6% when the carriage 16 is at either of the ends 4% or 42 of the guide ways 26, 28. As can be seen, the limit switches LS-l and LS-2 are so positioned whereby they are operated by contact with the projection 52 of the carriage 16. Hence, when the carriage 16 reaches the position illustrated in FIG. 2, limit switch 15-1 is tripped to stop the motor 38 and to activate the pivoting means 63 so that the scanner is pivoted upwardly between the kickback 57b and the automatic pin-spotting equipment (not shown). In this position, the flappers 14 are protected from being hit by a flying pin.

One type of control system for the motor 38 is shown in FIG. 4. As hereinberore stated, the motor 38 comprises a reversible direct current motor having two windings 92 and 94 thereon. The winding 92 is adapted for connection to a source of positive voltage to energize motor 38 and rotate it in one direction when contacts 95 of control relay 98 are closed. Similarly, the winding 94- is adapted to be energized to rotate the motor 38 in the opposite direction when contacts 1% of the control relay 102 are closed.

Connected to the automatic scorin circuitry 104 is a relay 1% which is energized to close its contacts 1% after each ball is delivered in a bowling game. manner in which the relay 1% is energized will be understood by reference to U.S. Patent No. 3,124,355. Specifically, it will be seen by reference to the aforesaid US Patent No. 3,124,355 that the relay 1% may be energized each time the timer motor of the automatic scoring circuitry 164 cycles, this occurring after the rolling or delivery of each ball in a game. Let us assume, for example, that the carriage 16 is in its extreme righthand position as viewed in FIG. 2. Under these circumstances, limit switch LS1 will be open while limit switch LS-Z will be closed. Consequently, a circuit is now completed through contacts 108 on relay 1% and contacts on limit switch LS-Z to lead 119 which, in turn, is connected through normaliy closed contacts 112 on relay 102 to the energizing coil for relay 93, thereby momentarily energizing this relay to close its contacts 96 and 114 while opening its contacts 116. When contacts 114 are closed, a holding circuit is provided for the relay 98 through the contacts 114, lead 113 and a second set of contacts on limit switch LS-2, which are now closed, to a source of positive voltage. Thus, once an initial pulse is received on lead 114 in response to energization of relay 1%, the relay 9'3 will pull in and will remain energized until limit switch LS2 is opened. When relay 98 is energized in this manner, its contacts 96 close to cause the motor 33 to rotate in one direction to traverse the carriage from right to left as viewed in FIG. 2. The motor 33 will remain energized to rotate in a direction to cause the carriage to traverse from right to left until the limit switch LS2 opens, and this occurs when the carriage 16 reaches the end at of guideways 26 and 28 such that the limit switch LS-Z will contact the projection 52 of the carriage 16. Actually, the limit switch LS4. will be opened by contacting the projection 52 The before the carriage 16 reaches its extreme limit of travel, however, the arrangement is such that when the limit switch LS2 opens, the carriage 16 and the scanner 10 carried thereby will have enough momentum to cause them to move into abutment with the pad 51? of the angle member 44.

When the relay 98 was initially energized with the carriage 16 at the right end 42 of the guideways 26, 28 as viewed in FIG. 2, the limit switch LS-l was open due to the fact that it was engaged by the projection 52 of the carriage 16. Consequently, since the limit switch LS-l was open at this time, the relay 102 could not be energized. Furthermore, when limit switch LS-l opened upon passage over the projection 52, the relay 98 Was already energized to open its contacts 116 and thereby prevent energization of relay 102.

When the carriage 16 is at the left end 441* of the guideways 26, 28, however, the situation is reversed with limit switch LS-1 being closed and limit switch LS-2 being open. Consequently, when relay 106 is energized upon delivery of the next ball, the relay 1%)2. will be energized through contacts on limit switch LS1, lead 129 and contacts 116 on relay 98, which are now closed since this relay is not energized. When relay 102 is thus energized, it will be held energized upon closure of its contacts 122 in much the same manner as the relay 98 was held energized. In addition, when relay 102 is energized, it closes its contacts 1% to cause the motor 38 to rotate in the opposite direction whereby the carriage 16 will be caused to traverse the guideways 26 and 28 from left to right as viewed in FIG. 2. This action will continue until the carriage reaches its extreme right position, whereupon limit switch LS1 will open to break the circuit to relay 1432 and complete the cycle.

The control circuit for the pivoting means 68 also is incorporated in the control circuit of the motor 38. As can be seen, the relay 1% also controls normally closed contacts 124 which are adapted for connection to a relay 12s controlling two-way valve 128 and to a third set of contacts on both limit switches LS-1 and LS-Z. The two-way valve 12$ has three connections, one through conduit 76 to the cylinder of the pivoting means 68, a second to vent conduit 130 and a third through supply conduit 132 to a source of working fluid schematically illustrated at 134. The two-way valve 128 has two positions, that is, a first position wherein the conduit 76 communicates with the vent conduit 130 to exhaust the working fluid from the interior of the cylinder 7%; and a second position wherein the conduit 76 communicates with supply conduit 132 to introduce working fluid from the source 134 to the interior of the cylinder The two-way valve 123 preferably is constructed so that when relay 1% is energized, conduit 76 comunicates with conduit 132 to introduce working fluid; and when the relay 126 is deenergized, conduit "76 communicates with conduit to exhaust working fluid.

it should be noted that when limit switch LS1 is open with respect to motor control, it is closed with respect to pivoting means control and vice versa. The same is true with respect to limit switch LS-2.

Accordingly, when carriage 16 is in the extreme righthand position as viewed in FIG. 2, the limit switch LS1 will be closed to connect relay 126 to a source of positive voltage. Since the relay 126 is energized, working fluid is communicated to the cylinder 7% to pivot the unitary structure 54 about the horizontal axis 66 whereby the scanner 1% is raised into a safe position.

When relay me is energized by an impulse from the automatic scoring circuitry 1114, the normally closed contacts 12 will be opened whereupon the relay 126 will be deenergized to switch the two-way valve 128 into a venting position. The scanner 1d immediately will fall into its hereinabove described pin detecting orientation. The motor 38 will then move the carriage 16 and the scanner 1% across the pin deck in the manner described above.

It should be noted at this point that the relay 166 preferably comprises a slow drop-out relay which holds the normally closed contacts 124 open for a time which is sufiicient to permit the scanner 10 to traverse the width of the pin deck and open limit switch LS-Z.

When the projection 52 of the carriage 16 opens the limit switch LS2, the motor 38 will be stopped in the manner described above. Note, however, that the limit switch LS2 is closed with respect to the relay 126. Since the normally closed contacts 124 again are closed, the closing of the contacts of the limit switch LS2 will again connect the relay 126 to a positive source of voltage. Thus, the relay 126 will be energized to position the twoway valve 128 so as to communicate working fluid to the cylinder 70, and hence, again raise the scanner 10 into a safe position.

When the carriage 16 is at the left end 40 of the guideways 26, 28, however, the situation is reversed with the limit switch LS1 being open and the limit switch LS-2 being closed with respect to the energization of the relay 126. Consequently, when the relay 106 is energized upon delivery of the next ball, the normally closed contacts 124 will be opened to deenergize the relay 126 and thereby place the two-way valve 123 in a venting condition. The scanner 10 will immediately fall into its pin detecting orientation whereupon the motor 38 will drive the carriage 16 and the scanner 16 across the pin deck. When the carriage 16 closes limit switch LS-l the relay 126 will again be energized and complete the cycle.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8. Referring in particular to FIG. 5, the carriage 16 comprises a main body portion 136 having a projecting body portion 138 to which the elongated member 12 of the scanner 11B is secured. The projecting body portion 138 has a longitudinal bore 146 provided therethrough which comprises an end receiving bore 142, an intermediate bore 144 and a plug receiving bore 146. The end receiving bore 142 is large enough to receive an end portion 148 of the elongated member 12 in loosely fitting engagement therewith. The intermediate bore 144 is of smaller diameter than the end receiving bore 142 so that a shoulder 150 is provided. Notice that a space 151 is provided since the end portion 148 is spaced from the shoulder 150. The purpose of the shoulder 150 and the space 151 will become apparent later in the specification. The intermediate bore 144, however, is large enough to receive connecting plug 152 which is contiguous with the end 148 of the elongated member 12. The plug receiving bore 146 is of smaller diameter than the intermediate bore 144 so that a shoulder 154 is provided. The plug receiving bore 146, however, is large enough to receive carriage connecting plug 156 therein. Hence, the scanner 10 is supported by the carriage 12 for rotation about its longitudinal axis represented by the dash-dot line numbered 158.

Referring now to FIGS. and 7, a resilient connecting means 160 is provided in order to maintain the fiappers 14 in their pin detecting orientation, that is, extending in a downward direction. The resilient connecting means 160 spans the distance between the carriage connecting plug 156 and the connecting plug 152 and preferably comprises a flat strip 162, formed from thin gage spring steel or the like. One end of the flat strip 162 extends into a transverse slot 164 formed in one end of the carriage connecting plug 156 and secured therein, as for example, by means of a setscrew 166. The other end of the flat strip 162 extends into a transverse slot 168 formed in one end of the connecting plug 152 and secured therein, as for example, by means of a setscrew 170.

Besides functioning to maintain the flappers 14 in their pin detecting orientation, the flat strip 162 provides a resilient connection between the carriage 16 and the scanner 10 whereby the scanner 10 may be rotated so that flappers 14 will be displaced in a direction away from the pins as illustrated in FIG. 6. Thus, the elongated member 12 is placed between the flappers 14 and the pins to protect the flappers 14 from any pins which are sent flying by a bowling ball.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the present embodiment is provided with cam means 172 comprising a triangularlyshaped rod 174 and Z-shaped rods 176. The triangularly-shaped rod 174 is secured to the end portion 148 of the elongated member 12 and extends radially therefrom. The triangularly-shaped rod 174 has sloped arms 178, 1811 which are disposed transversely of the elongated member 12. One of the rods 176 is shown secured to the depending leg 48 of the angle member 44 shown in phantom outline. The Z-shaped rod 176 includes an arm 182 which extends from the angle member 44 and into the path of the triangularly-shaped rod 174. As can be seen, the arm 162 is engaged with the sloped arm 173 of the rod 174 and the scanner 10 has been rotated about its longitudinal axis 153 in a clockwise direction. Hence, the sloped arms 178, 186 of the rod 174 serve as cam surfaces which are adapted to be engaged by the arms 132 of the Z-shaped rods 176.

Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the Z-shaped rods 176 are disposed adjacent to the ends 40, 42 of the guideway 26. The carriage 16 is shown positioned centrally of the guideway 26 and the flappers 14 are shown in their pin detecting orientation. It should be evident that if the carriage 16 moves to the right of FIG. 7, the sloped arm 1% will engage the arm 182 of the right-hand rod 176 to rotate the scanner 10 in a counterclockwise direction. Conversely, if the carriage 16 moves to the left of FIG. 7, the sloped arm 178 will engage the arm 182 of the left-hand rod 176 to rotate the scanner 16 in a clockwise direction. In either position, the elongated member 12 will be interposed between the flappers 14 and the pins. Notice also that the flappers 14 are displaced in the proper direction only when the carriage 16 is at the ends 40 or 42 of the guideway 26.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, it should be evident that as the scanner 10 is rotated in either direction, the fiat strip 162 will act as a torsion member. As for example, in the twisted position shown in FIG. 6, it will provide a torsional force tending to rotate the scanner 10 in the opposite direction. However, since the fiat strip 162 is formed from spring steel, each twist thereof (as in FIG. 6) will be accompanied by a longitudinal shortening thereof. Thus, each time the scanner 10 is rotated, it also moves longitudinally toward the shoulder 1511 through the space 151 provided therein. It should be evident that the shoulder thus serves to limit the longitudinal travel of the scanner member 10 and hence the amount by which the scanner 10 may be rotated.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 8, it will be seen that an arcuate slot 184 is provided in the top of the projecting body portion 133 through which a leg 186 of the triangularly-shaped rod 174 extends. As clearly shown in FIG. 8, the arcuate slot 184 curves in the direction of longitudinal movement of the scanner 10 so that each lateral portion of the arcuate slot 184 serves as a cam surface to aid the scanner 10 in its longitudinal movement. Hence, unnecessary tensile strain on the flat strip 162 is avoided.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this embodiment the scanner 10 is secured to the carriage 16 by means of shearable connecting means 188 which preferably comprises plates 196, 192 and a plurality of shear bolts 194. The plates 196 and 192 are secured to the elongated member 12 and an extension 196 respectively. The plates 191), 192 are abutted and secured together by means of the shear bolts 194.

Referring in particular to FIG. 10, one of the bolts 194 is shown spaced from the plates 190, 192 for the 9 purpose of description. Each of the bolts 194 is provided with a threaded end portion 198, a central necked-down portion 200 and an unthreaded portion 292 adjacent to the head of the bolt.

Each of the bolts 194 is first inserted through a clearance hole 204 in the plate 1% and then is threaded into a threaded hole 2% in the plate 192. As can be seen, the unthreaded portion 2% engages the clearance hole 204 of the plate 196 and serves to align the plates 1%, 192.

The neck-down portion 206) provides each of the bolts 194 with an easily shearable portion. Thus, when a flying bowling pin makes a direct hit on the scanner it), the bolts 194- will be sheared. The impact then is taken up in the shearing of the bolts 194 rather than being absorbed by the carriage 1d and the guideways 26, 28.

It should be understood that the shearable connecting means 188 may be provided in either of the hereinbefore described embodiments of the present invention.

For example, the shearable connecting means could be provided in the embodiment illustrated. in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the scanner is pivoted upwardly into the position indicated at only a small portion would be subject to a direct hit by a flying bowling pin. The shearable connecting means 188 would serve here to protect the carriage 16 and the guideways 26, 23 from undue and excessive strain resulting from a direct hit on the scanner.

It should be evident from the foregoing detailed description, that the present invention provides apparatus for displacing the scanner in a direction away from the standing pins whereby they are less vulnerable to being hit by a flying pin; apparatus for displacing the scanner without interfering with automatic pin-spotting equipment; apparatus for displacing the scanner in a direction away from the standing pins only when the scanner is at the ends of the guideway; scanner displacing apparatus which does not employ extrinsic power sources for displacing the scanner; a shearable connecting means for the scanner which will separate when a flying pin makes a direct hit on any portion of the scanner; and scanner displacing apparatus which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and operate.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In this respect, it will be apparent that the scanner lltl could be elevated at opposite ends of structure 54 while being maintained in a horizontal position rather than pivoted as in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means for driving said carriage along the said guideway means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation;

pivot means operatively associated with said elongated member; and

means for pivoting said elongated member about said pivot means whereby said pin detecting elements are raised upwardly and away from said bowling pins only when said carriage is at the ends of said guideway means.

2. In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means for driving said carriage along the said guideway means, said guideway means, said carriage and said means for driving comprising a unitary structure, the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation;

a stationary support member disposed above the said unitary structure;

means pivotally connecting said unitary structure to said stationary member whereby said unitary structure is pivotal about a longitudinal axis thereof; and

means for pivoting said unitary structure about said longitudinal axis whereby said pin detecting elements are raised upwardly and away from said bowling pins only when said carriage is at the ends of said guideway means.

3. In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means extending transverse to said alley, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means for driving said carriage along the said guideway means, said guideway means, said carriage and said means for driving comprising a unitary structure, the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation and parallel to said alley;

a stationary support member disposed above and substantially parallel to said guideway means;

pivotal connecting means joining the adjacent ends of said unitary structure and said stationary support member, each comprising a pair of pivotally connected overlapping plates, one of said plates being secured to the end of said unitary structure and the other of said plates being secured to the end of said stationary support member, said pivotal connecting means defining a longitudinal axis about which said unitary structure is pivotal;

fluid operated piston means extending between said unitary structure and said stationary support member for pivoting said unitary structure about said longitudinal axis; and

switch means, one each at each end of said guideway means, for actuating said fluid operated piston means, said switch means being operable by said carriage whereby said pin detecting elements will be displaced in a direction away from said bowling pins upon activation of said piston means only when said carriage is at the ends of said guideway means.

In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means for driving said carriage along said guideway means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation and being connected thereto for rotation about its longitudinal axis; and

means operable only at each end of said guideway means for rotating said elongated member whereby said pin detecting elements are displaced in a direction away from said bowling pins.

5. In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means for driving said carriage along said guideway means the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation and being connected thereto for rotation about its longitudinal axis; means connecting said elongated member with said carriage for maintaining the said pin detecting elements disposed in pin detecting orientation when said carriage is between the ends of said guideway means;

and means operable only at each end of said guideway means for rotating said elongated member whereby said pin detecting elements are displaced in a direction away from said bowling pins.

6. In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins, standing 011 a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means for driving said carriage along said guideway means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation and being connected thereto for rotation about its longitudinal axis;

means operable only at each end of said guideway means for rotating said elongated member whereby said pin detecting elements are displaced in a direction away from said bowling pins; and

means connecting said elongated member with said carriage for maintaining the said pin detecting elements disposed in pin detecting orientation when said carriage is between the ends of said guideway means. 7. In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means for driving said carriage along said guideway means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation and being connected thereto for rotation about its longitudinal axis; means forming a projection at each end of said guideway means;

cam means on said elongated member engageable with each said projection means for rotating said elongated member whereby said pin detecting elements are displaced in a direction away from said bowling pins; and

resilient means connecting said elongated member with said carriage for maintaining the said pin detecting elements disposed in pin detecting orientation when said carriage is between the ends of said guideway means.

8. In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means for driving said carriage along said guideway means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member being rotatably connected at one end with said carriage for rotation about its longitudinal axis and extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation;

means forming a projection at each end of said guideway means.

9. In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means extending transversely of said bowling alley, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means mounted on the guideway means for driving said carriage along said guideway means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation and parallel to said alley; a stationary support member disposed above and substantially parallel with said guideway means;

pivot means extending between each of the adjacent ends of said guideway means and said stationary support member whereby said guideway means is pivotal about a longitudinal axis thereof; and

fluid operated piston means extending between said guideway means and said stationary support member for pivoting said guideway means together with the carriage, the elongated member and the driving means carried thereby about said longitudinal axis whereby the pin detecting elements on the elongated member are displaced in a direction away from said bowling pins only when said carriage is at the ends of said guideway means.

10. In apparatus for passing pin detecting elements across the tops of bowling pins standing on a pin deck of a bowling alley, which apparatus includes guideway means extending transverse to the alley, a carriage mounted on said guideway means for reciprocable movement between the ends thereof, and means for driving said carriage along the said guideway means, the improvement in said apparatus comprising:

an elongated member having said pin detecting elements disposed at spaced points along its length, said elongated member extending from said carriage in cantilever beam relation and parallel to said alley;

a stationary support member disposed above and substantially parallel with said guideway means;

pivot means extending between adjacent ends of said guideway means and said stationary support member, said pivot means defining a longitudinal axis about which said guideway means is pivotal; fluid operated piston means extending between said guideway means and said stationary support member for pivoting said guideway means together with the carriage, the elongated member and the driving means carried thereby about said longitudinal axis; and

switch means, one at each end of said guideway means, for actuating said fluid operated piston means, said switch means being operable by said carriage whereby said pin detecting elements on the elongated member will be displaced in a direction away from said bowling pins upon actuation of said piston means only when said carriage is at the ends of said guideway means.

2/1956 Sherman 273-54 7/1960 Patterson et al 27354 X DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner, 

1. IN APPARATUS FOR PASSING PIN DETECTING ELEMENTS ACROSS THE TOPS OF BOWLING PINS STANDING ON A PIN DECK OF A BOWLING ALLEY, WHICH APPARATUS INCLUDES GUIDEWAY MEANS, A CARRIAGE MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDEWAY MEANS FOR RECIPROCABLE MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE ENDS THEREOF, AND MEANS FOR DRIVING SAID CARRIAGE ALONG THE SAID GUIDEWAY MEANS, THE IMPROVEMENT IN SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED MEMBER HAVING SAID PIN DETECTING ELEMENTS DISPOSED AT SPACED POINTS ALONG ITS LENGTH, SAID ELONGATED MEMBER EXTENDING FROM SAID CARRIAGE IN CANTILEVER BEAM RELATION; PIVOT MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ELONGATED MEMBER; AND MEANS FOR PIVOTING SAID ELONGATED MEMBER ABOUT SAID PIVOT MEANS WHEREBY SAID PIN DETECTING ELEMENTS ARE RAISED UPWARDLY AND AWAY FROM SAID BOWLING PINS ONLY WHEN SAID CARRIAGE IS AT THE ENDS OF SAID GUIDEAY MEANS. 